Milan out to replace Giroud with Balogun.

Folarin Balogun, an English player of Nigerian heritage, is reportedly being pursued by Italian powerhouse AC Milan as a result of his strong start to the season with French club Stade de Reims, according to the Italian journal Calcio Mercato.

According to the article, Milan is keeping an eye on Balogun as a potential long-term successor for Olivier Giroud and could make a move for the forward owned by Arsenal next summer. Giroud, who just turned 36, has excelled throughout his time at Milan and contributed to the Rossoneri's Serie A championship last season.

The former Chelsea star still contributes significantly to AC Milan. On Saturday, he scored an incredible winning goal to help the Italian champions defeat Spezia 2-1. However, Giroud's successful career, during which he received multiple awards in France, England, and Italy, is coming to an end at age 36. However, Milan is eyeing Folarin Balogun as a possibility for the position of long-term successor to the former Gunner next summer.
“Olivier Giroud is back as an absolute protagonist with two very heavy goals in the Champions League against Salzburg. We talk about it again from a World Cup perspective, but given his age, Milan will also have to think about new, younger strikers,” the website reads.

“Behind Giroud could therefore be inserted a young striker, of value but not excessive costs. AC Milan, therefore, looks around, and the French league could hide an extremely interesting player who reflects these characteristics. A possible special note could be Folarin Balogun, who is playing on loan at Reims and with excellent results. The class of 2001, already approached Milan at a very young age a couple of years ago, has so far collected seven goals and two assists in Ligue 1, thus allowing glimpses of talent and the possibility of improvement.
“A market the transalpine one that Milan often observes, even if in the case of Balogun it would then be necessary to go to Arsenal, owner of the 21-year-old’s card, who sent him on loan just in search of a maturity that could also be tempting to the Rossoneri. The valuation is around 15 million, but every goal risks making it grow.”
Balogun has made an impression while playing for Reims on loan in France.


References
Punchng, 'Milan eye Balogun as Giroud replacement' (online, 2022) <https://punchng.com/milan-eye-balogun-as-giroud-replacement/>.